The cast of characters is small, but they encompass Jamie's entire world. There is, first of all, Patty, his mother. To Jamie, she embodies safety, and she is the one who can make things right. She caught his baby sister at the crucial moment, got them out of Van's house, and brought Jamie's beloved magic book with her.

He spoke, and with real urgency too. "Did you bring my magic?" "Yes," his mother answered him right away. "It's in the bag." How quickly her one word stopped the ferocious pounding in his heart.

But Jamie learns that even his mother, too, is afraid, and that upsets him terribly.

After her flight from the school fair, she is silent, still deeply disturbed.

She was doing everything fast, even when she stood still, rubbing her middle finger against her thumb.. .. Jamie stood and watched her. Finally she looked...